He stared at the couch a moment longer. It looked great in the office. He would at least call the store and inform them of the mix-up. Someone, somewhere was probably having a hissy fit over the plain, boring, black leather sofa.
“Seasons Greetings! Impressive Furnishings,” A store clerk answered on the third ring.
He recognized the voice as the man who’d helped him an hour ago. “Hi, this is Aiden Ford. I just bought a sofa about an hour ago.”
“Yes, Mr. Ford. Is there a problem? Has the sofa not been delivered yet?” The man sounded concerned.
“No, it’s here. Well, sort of. It’s not the one I ordered.” Aiden studied the couch again. It did add an element of style to his office.
“You received the tan and brown suede?”
“Yes, exactly.” So, someone else was throwing a tantrum somewhere. Hopefully he wouldn’t be forced to return it. He frowned. “Has someone else called to report the mix-up?”
“No. There was no mix-up. That’s the couch your girlfriend ordered after you left this afternoon.” The clerk sounded nervous.
“My girlfriend?”
“Yes, the pretty woman with the dark hair and green eyes, like a cat’s…”
Molly! He wasn’t sure if she had cat eyes, but she definitely had cat like reflexes. Twice now, her counterattack had been within less than a few hours. He grinned.
“She did inquire about our exchange policy. As I told her, you can make an exchange within two weeks.”
“No need. I’ll be keeping this one. Thank you.” Aiden replaced the receiver and leaned back in his chair. She was ballsy, he’d give her that much. And she had good taste. The more he looked at the sofa, the more he liked it. Similar to the way he felt about Molly.
“Mr. Ford, Miss McDonald and her mother are here to see you,” Lynn’s cheery voice said a moment later.
He knew the tone of voice. It meant the client waiting for him was a disaster. Straightening in his chair, he pulled out his file on the girl. “Okay, send them in please.” This account was important to Mike, and Aiden knew if he could convince this girl to trust him and his opinion, it could make or break her career.
“I don’t know why we’re even here. How is some middle aged, stuffy, suit-wearing man going to help me with my image?”
He heard the teenager whine as they approached his office door. Middle aged? Stuffy? He slipped out of his jacket, rolled up his sleeves, and yanked off his tie, leaving the top button of his shirt undone. He messed up his hair a little and forced a lazy smile as they entered.
“We just have to listen to what he has to say. We’re not obligated to take his advice,” her mother said as they came through the door.
“Hello, come on in. Take a seat.” Aiden ushered them into the room.
“You’re Aiden Ford?” The young girl, wearing a tube top stretched down over her hips, had a look of shock. “You’re not old or stuffy.”
Yes I am, I just adapted to gain your trust. He found himself adapting a lot these days. First the dog, then the couch, and now he’d tweaked his own image.
“You’re actually kind of cute.” The young girl sat on the sofa.
Aiden felt his neck turn a deep shade of crimson along his open collar. Cute?
“Hey, Mom, isn’t this the sofa we saw on MTV Cribs?” She ran a hand over the soft suede and smiled. “Not bad, Mr. Ford. I may just listen to what you have to say, but I warn you, I’m not giving up my blue eyeliner. It’s my trademark.”
We’ll see about that. Aiden smiled at the girl’s mother.
A look of relief spread across the woman’s face.
He could already taste his celebratory martini at McDougals.
Chapter Four
“I still can’t believe you did that.” Cameron shook her head as the waiter approached their table to take their drink orders.
McDougals bustled with business people winding down after a long work week. A noisy crowd having their office Christmas party gathered in the back room, leaving just the front part of the bar and grill accessible to the public. Christmas music blared from the speakers, and thousands of red and green Christmas lights hung from the ceiling. Scented candles were placed on each table, the smell of cinnamon and gingerbread tantalizing the nose.
Molly laughed. “I’ll have an Apple martini please.” She leaned back in her chair. Ahhh it was good to relax. “He had it coming. Besides, you would have done it too if you’d seen what he ordered. I made sure he could return it if he wanted.” She waved a hand.
Cameron ordered her red wine and picked up the menu. “I’m starving. Have you eaten?” She tapped her manicured finger against the menu as she skimmed the appetizers.
“Only if yogurt and an apple count as dinner.”
“You are the only multi-millionaire I know who is starving to death.” Cameron shook her head.
“I am not a multi-millionaire, my father is, and I’d rather starve than depend on his money forever.” In truth, she would soon be starving if the internship hadn’t transpired. She wished she didn’t owe that to Aiden, but at this point, she wasn’t going to let her stubbornness stand in the way of her future.
The waiter arrived, setting their drinks in front of them. He left without a word.
“Well, you won’t be poor for long. Cheers to your new job and promising future.” Cameron held her glass in a toast.
“Thanks. Although now I don’t really have a good excuse not to go home for Christmas.” Molly examined her menu. She didn’t mind as much now. She could hold her head high when she told her family about her paid internship and the beginning of her new career. Which you’d never have been offered without Aiden’s help. Nonsense, they’d offered you the position before, he just made it easier to accept. Cameron had reiterated as much when Molly had contemplated turning down the position.
“You’re still welcome to join Mark and I in Colorado. The skiing is phenomenal, and single men are everywhere.” She grinned and took a sip of her red wine. “You haven’t dated in the two years I’ve known you.”
“As appealing as it sounds to end up with a broken ankle and a broken heart by New Year’s, I think I’ll pass. You two will have a great time.” Molly opened her menu. It was true; she didn’t date. No one had sparked her interest in the past few years. An image of Aiden’s handsome face flashed in her mind but she dismissed it. The man irritated her, nothing more.
“Ready to order?” The waiter appeared once more at their table.
“I’ll have the yam fries and…the mini cheeseburgers.” Cameron could eat whatever she wanted and not gain an ounce.
Molly envied her. If she looked at a hamburger, she’d gain three pounds. Though her thin frame could use the extra weight, she ordered a chef’s salad with chicken and handed the menus back to the waiter.
“So what do you think his reaction was when he saw the couch?” Cameron shouted above the noise.
“Pissed at first, but it’s grown on me,” a deep voice said behind them.
Molly showered her friend with apple martini.
“Mr. Ford!” Cameron wiped her cheek with her linen napkin.
“Please call me Aiden. The wait for a table is over an hour, mind if we join you?” He didn’t wait for a reply as he pulled out a chair next to Molly.
“We?” Cameron looked past him.
“Yeah…Mike Johnson is meeting me here, Molly’s new boss.” He grinned at Molly and winked.
Molly stared at him in surprise. Of all the places, of all the nights, why was he here now? She almost groaned. And he was with her new boss. How could she tell him to leave?
He shrugged out of his jacket, and the smell of his cologne circled her head. She squirmed in her seat and moved further away. Why did he have to smell so good?
“That’s great…Molly isn’t that great.” Cameron kicked her under the table.
“Ouch! Yeah…of course.” Molly avoided Aiden’s gaze and shot Cameron an annoyed look. This was anything but great. “Where�
�s the waiter with our food?” Her appetite had vanished, but eating meant less talking.
“You seem uncomfortable, Molly? Is it the chairs? That’s right, you’re not a big fan of leather are you?” Aiden’s eyes were teasing. “I bet you’re more of a suede person.” He took a swig of his beer and leaned back in his chair, studying her.
Cameron laughed at the expression on Molly’s face.
Molly’s retort died on her lips as a short blond man approached their table.
“Aiden! I’m five minutes late, and you ditch me for two beautiful women.” The man slapped Aiden on the back.
“Mike, this is Molly Bishop—your new intern and Cameron…?”
“Walsh,” Cameron supplied, extending her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” Mike pulled out the chair next to Cameron and sat. “Molly, great to meet you. We’re excited to have you with us.”
“Thank you again for the opportunity.” She shot a quick glance at Aiden.
He studied a menu, ignoring her.
Mike turned his attention to Aiden, “Great job with Lindsay McDonald, she thought you were a hot old guy.” He laughed. “And she kept talking about some couch and an adorable dog? When did you get a dog?” Mike signaled a waiter and shot Aiden a quizzical look.
Molly’s eyes met Aiden’s, and she smiled. The score was tied.
****
Three hours and six drinks later, they were still laughing as they left McDougals.
“Ladies, it was a pleasure meeting you. Molly, I’ll see you Monday morning.” Mike hailed a cab to the curb and hopped in.
“There’s Mark.” Cameron pointed to the SUV pulling onto the parking lot.
Mark waved to Molly from the window. “Molly, do you need a ride?”
“No thanks. It’s out of your way. I’ll just get a cab.”
“Okay, call me as soon as you get home.” Cameron hugged her friend. “Aiden, will I be seeing you for your turkey sandwich tomorrow?” She teased, walking toward the SUV.
Aiden laughed and kicked snow in her direction. “Probably.” He nodded.
Cameron laughed as she hopped into the SUV and they sped away.
“Well…bye.” Molly shuffled her feet in the crunchy snow and avoided his gaze.
“Yeah…see you. Good luck with the internship.” He sounded sincere.
She accepted his well wishes. “Thank you.” She couldn’t be angry with his meddling. She’d gotten what she wanted—a paid position doing what she loved. She waved and turned to walk away.
“I thought you were taking a cab.”
“It’s a nice night, I think I’ll walk. It’s only a few blocks,” she answered, walking backward.
“Well, I’m going in that direction too, do you mind if I walk with you?” He surprised her by asking.
She shrugged. “Sure, I guess.”
He fell into step next to her, and she wished she’d said no. His scent surrounded her head, making her feel woozy from more than the six apple martinis she’d consumed with dinner.
“So, what do you think of your new boss?”
“Mike was wonderful, very funny.” Mike had them all laughing all evening. Joke after joke. It hadn’t taken long before Molly and Aiden had put their feuding aside to enjoy the unexpected twist to the evening.
“He’s a great guy. He’ll make you feel at home at Rollins and Clarke.” Aiden took his gloves from his pocket and slid his fingers inside.
Molly was silent for a moment. “Thank you, by the way.” The words were easier to say the second time.
“You’re welcome.” He smiled at her.
Her heart beat harder. Had he gotten better looking, or was it the martinis? She looked away and continued walking. “How’s Layla?” She shoved her bare hands into her pockets. She’d forgotten her gloves at the bar.
“Besides eating my office furniture and driving my receptionist to distraction, she’s kind of cool.” He hit the button on the pole for the walk signal as they reached the first intersection.
“So, she won’t be a problem to keep for the season?” Layla hadn’t meant to be a burden, and he was already out eight hundred dollars for the sofa. Molly frowned, feeling an unexpected pang of guilt.
“As long as the building’s strata committee doesn’t see her, she’s fine.”
“Oh no, I hadn’t even thought about the prospect of you living in a pet-free building. What will happen if they see her?” How had she not thought of that?
“It’s grounds for eviction for us both.” Aiden laughed and shrugged. “I smuggled her in today, disguised as a box of mandarin oranges.”
“That’s awful.” The prospect of him being able to keep the Chihuahua for the holidays looked slim.
“My lease is up at the end of December anyway, and I’ve been considering a move. I’m thinking of buying a place, so as long as I can keep her out of sight for the next few weeks, it should be okay after that.”
Molly stopped and looked at him in surprise.
“What?” Aiden asked, stopping a few paces ahead. He walked back toward her.
“You’re planning to keep her after the holidays?”
“Of course. How can I return her?” He shook his head and resumed walking. “You were right. I wanted a dog, and she needed a home. The perfect situation for us both.”
“Unless you both get evicted,” she pointed out.
“Well, just in case, be prepared for house guests,” he teased.
The idea of Aiden in her tiny one bedroom apartment shook Molly to the core. Him there in the morning, sleeping on her couch at night. Too close, definitely too close. She wondered if he slept naked. Her cheeks flushed, and she shivered.
“Are you cold?” Aiden removed his scarf from around his neck.
“No, I’m fine.” The heat radiated from her cheeks. She was anything but cold.
“Here, take this.” He stopped in front of her and wrapped his tan scarf around her neck.
The smell of his cologne lingered on the cool breeze and filled her head once again. It was too much. “Oh, no thanks, I’m okay.” She moved away, tugging the scarf from around her neck as she did. She handed it to him.
He pulled her closer. “You’re too independent for your own good. Just take the scarf. The last thing you need is a cold on Monday morning.” He wrapped it back around her neck and tied it tight. Inches from hers, his gaze dared her to argue.
“Thanks,” she muttered. It baffled her how he intimidated her when he was nice. His earlier anger had met with her fiery temper.
They walked in silence for a long moment before Aiden spoke. “By the way, have you called Bob yet?”
Bob? Who was Bob?
“The tire guy.”
“Oh no, I haven’t. Look, I appreciate your help, but as I’m sure you overheard, as you were eavesdropping the other day, tires just aren’t in the budget at the moment.” She hated to admit as much to him, but he knew her financial situation anyway.
“I told you to call him because the tires are already paid for. He owed me a favor, and I just called it in.” Aiden shrugged as if buying tires for a stranger was common practice.
“I appreciate your offer, Aiden, really I do, but I can’t accept your generosity.” The last thing she needed was to be the newest person to owe him a favor.
“Well, why don’t you pay me back when you can, but you really need the tires now.” He looked toward the sky as big snowflakes fell to the ground.
She hesitated. The tires on the jeep were awful. She’d planned on bussing it to Rollins and Clarke until she could afford the tires herself. Of course it would mean getting up two hours earlier than necessary and travelling through snow, wind, and rain. She was tempted by the offer. “It may be a few weeks…”
“It’s really not a problem.”
She studied him for a moment. He was sincere in his gesture. He didn’t have an ulterior motive she could figure, and she suspected he would be relentless if she refused. “Fine…Thank you,
Aiden. I’ll call Bob in the morning.”
“Good.” He reached into his inside coat pocket and took out a business card for Bob’s Tires. “Here.” He handed it to her. “Just in case you’ve lost my card.” He winked at her.
Her heart jumped. Just get through this walk. In ten minutes, you will be home and away from him. She’d return his money in a few weeks, and then she wouldn’t have any reason to see him again. The thought both relieved and disappointed her. She had, in fact, kept his card. It was stuck to her fridge with a magnet. She didn’t want to explore the reason why.
As they turned off Main Street and onto the first residential street, Molly turned to him. “Well, my apartment building is a few blocks that way.” She pointed to the right. “So, thanks again…” Here’s where they went their separate ways.
“I’ll keep walking with you.”
“It’s okay, really. It’s quite a safe neighborhood.”
A stray snowball flew toward Aiden’s shoulder and made contact before she could utter a warning.
Sounds of giggling from a nearby house caught their attention. Molly turned in time to see two young boys running for cover behind a snow and ice fort on their front yard.
Aiden struggled to hide a grin. “I wonder where that came from?”
Molly placed a hand over her mouth and turned away from the fort. She heard the boys giggle again.
Creeping toward the yard, Aiden motioned for her to go around the opposite side.
She tiptoed, careful not to step on any of the fallen tree branches on the ground as she made her way to the other side of the fort. She bent to pick up a handful of cold, wet snow.
Aiden leaned around the fort and motioned for her to join him on his side, where he’d piled a stack of snowballs. He held up three fingers and counted down.
She nodded, poised and ready with a snowball in each hand.
“Attack!” he yelled as the two popped up and pummeled their unsuspecting victims with their pre-made snowballs.
The giggling and squealing boys ran in different directions away from the fort and their attackers as snowballs continued to fly in all directions.
Molly couldn’t remember laughing so hard as she dodged an eight-year-old, throwing snowballs. He cornered her at the end of the fenced yard, and she put her arms up in defeat. “Okay, I give up.” Tears of laughter streamed down her flushed face.
Mistletoe & Molly Page 3